Theresa May to reveal ‘new Brexit’ deal

21st May 2019

epa07573567 Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May leaves the Elysee Palace after the 'Christchurch Call Meeting' in Paris, France, 15 May 2019. A high level summit held in Paris aims at ways to tackle and eliminate terrorism and violent extremist content online. Several world leaders and tech bosses are meeting in Paris to find ways to stop acts of violent extremism from being shown online. EPA-EFE/Julien de Rosa

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Theresa May is to set out the details of her “new deal” on Brexit in a speech at 4pm (Local Time), as she paves the way for a last-ditch bid to take Britain out of the European Union before she leaves Downing Street.

BBC reports that the cabinet has agreed Theresa May’s plan for her Withdrawal Agreement Bill, including compromises intended to attract the support of Labour MPs.

May is reported to be expected to outline new proposals in a series of areas, including workers’ rights, environmental protections, and pledging a greater role for parliament in shaping the next stage of negotiations. The Telegraph adds that it also pledges to explore alternative arrangements to the Irish backstop.

Contextualising this, The Telegraph staid that elements of the changes are aimed at winning over Labour MPs in Leave-voting seats, who have indicated they could back the deal if concessions are made, whilst the latter will appeal to Tory MPs concerned for the future of the Union and Northern Ireland.

The Telegraph also reports that earlier today, she told ministers that the Bill is “the vehicle which gets the UK out of the European Union”, adding that it was “vital to find a way to get it over the line.”

The bill will be put to a vote in early June, and if it fails, the PM is likely to come under intense pressure to quit.